You must love all.

“Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. The evening meal was in progress, and the devil had already prompted Judas, the son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John 13:1-5.

Elbert Hubbard said, “A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you.” Bible says Jesus Christ knows all about you and still loves you unconditionally. God’s love is not according to His feelings. It comes from His determination to love no matter what. While the Son of God, Jesus Christ, was in this world, He loved his own who were in the world to the end of his earthly life.

Beloved, Jesus Christ was one hundred percent God and one hundred percent man. The theologian calls this “hypostatic union”. The perfect God and perfect man but with no sin in Him was the status of the Son of God, Jesus Christ in his incarnation. You see even though Jesus is God and perfect; he loved imperfect people you and I, His disciples, to the very end. No shortcomings or imperfections stopped him from loving and serving them. Jesus even loved and washed the feet of Judas although he knew in advance that he is going to betray him to be crucified.

Dear ones, in those days, it was the cultural custom that the lowliest slave or servant would do the most disliked function of washing the dirt filled feet of people who enter the house. Our Bible insight says because Jesus knew God the Father had given him all power and authorities and He knew came from God and going back to God, he loved them to the very end and wash the dirty feet of the disciples. As he was in the evening meal he took off his outer clothes, placed a towel around his waist and began to wash the disciple’s feet and dried them.

Dearly beloved the knowledge of who you are in Christ, who loves you unconditionally, whom you belong and the bright hope of your future inheritance in heaven after your death, should all motivate you to love unconditionally and serve others even with lowly duties. You are a child of God who owns the whole earth and the universe. God loves you unconditionally and the way you are. The Holy Spirit of God sealed you for future inheritance in heaven that can never perish, spoil or fade, which is kept for you (1 Peter 1:4). When you came to Jesus Christ and accepted Him as your savior, your future address was changed forever- from hell with the devil, who hates you to a beautiful and glorious place called heaven where you would spend eternity with God.

Therefore, Jesus said this, and it is recorded in verse 33-34., “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” In other words, Jesus says to you loving others is not an option. It is a commandment, and He set the perfect example for us to follow.

If you are a believer in Jesus, you must love all. Even if you do not like them, you must love them. Love should not be based on your preferences or feelings. You are expected to love, respect and serve all without distinction discrimination and conditions.

Beloved, you may have heard about Jesus Christ, the savior of the whole world, who paid of all your sins and shortcoming with his divine blood. Have you accepted Him as your savior and Lord yet?

Got a moment for today’s prayer? May I invite you to make the decision today with me in a small prayer?

“Father in heaven, I choose eternal life today by accepting Jesus Christ, your Son, who died and paid off all my sins and shortcomings, as my savior and Lord. I repent of my old life and turn to you in obedience today. Please cleanse me. Please save me and bless me. In Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

No more curtain there. A new way to God opened through His body.

And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:50-51).

Three Gospels in the Bible-Matthew, Mark, and Luke-record a unique and marvelous incident happened at the moment of the death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary. The event is the curtain of the temple in Jerusalem was torn in two from top to bottom. In the temple, a very high and thick veil separated the holy of holy place from other parts of the temple. The mercy seat was in the holy of holies, the presence of God dwelt. Only the high priest was allowed to go into the holy of holies, and that is even allowed only once in a year. The high priest went to the holy of holies once in a year for the atonement of all of Israel’s sin. The day is called the Yom Kippur or the day of atonement. The high priest used to enter the holy place with animal blood to sprinkle on the front of the mercy seat for the atonement of the nation’s sins.

The curtain or the veil was about 70 feet high and four inches in thickness. The Bible says the veil was fashioned from blue, purple and scarlet material and fine twisted linen. This very high and thick curtain was torn in two not from the bottom up or sidewise. It was torn from top to bottom.
Bible says in Hebrews 10:19, “brothers and sisters, since we have the confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body..”

Beloved, the curtain in front of the holy of holies separated people from God. Only the high priest could go in after much preparation for many days and with the blood of the bull to atone the sins of the people. The curtain torn from top to bottom had any significance? A lot. Much more than you ever imagined. Now, because Jesus died and paid for our sins with his divine and sinless blood, not more sacrifices and efforts needed to atone for our sins. He paid it all. Seventy feet tall and four-inch thick curtain torn not by humans, but by God Himself. God says, come to me as you are. He says no matter what you have done or where have you been, come close to Me, I will come close to you. God says I will save you because eternal Son, Jesus Christ, paid for all of your sins.

No more sacrifices required. No more atonement for our sins and mistakes needed. Jesus says,” Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-29.

Beloved, are you still trying to please God by your works? Listen! The work is already done! On the cross!

Your sin-tainted works can never save you. It can never give rest to your souls. However, God is calling you to come to His Son, Jesus Christ, who paid all your sins by his divine and sinless blood. You have peace with God. You get rest for your souls. You get forgiveness of all your sins. God accepts you in the person and work of Jesus Christ. You get eternal life in heaven at the moment of your death. Be not afraid. Come as you are! Tell all to Him, because Jesus knows all about it anyway, but still loves you with an everlasting love.

All your blessings are wrapped in an indescribable gift called the ‘Savior Jesus Christ.’

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I believe a new way was opened for me to come to God through the curtain, which is the body of Jesus Christ. I believe I do not need to do sacrifices or efforts to earn your acceptance. The blood of Christ paid it all. I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord. I turn from my old life and repent about my sins and ask your forgiveness. Please save me and grant me rest to my soul. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”

You need someone who never leaves you, no matter what!

“Even if my father and mother abandon me,
the LORD will hold me close.” Psalm 27:10.

For many of us our fathers and mothers never even once abandoned us. They never thought less about us. However, these days we see the news about parents abandoning their children. We even hear new about moms abandoning her child after birth, etc. There are emotional, financial and health issues that cause such betrayals. However, God will never abandon or think less about you. Jesus said, and it is recorded in Matthew 16:26 that your soul is worth more than the value of the whole world and that is why God was willing to send His Son, Jesus Christ, to this world to die for you and pay for all of your sins. Jesus loved you and emptied His life by shedding His blood for your sake, for your sins and mistakes. You see, God places that much value on you.

Our today’s Bible insight says, “Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will hold me close.” Bible also says there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24). Jesus is known as the friend of sinners. He is the friend of the weak and powerless.  He is the friend of a broken-hearted. He is the friend of the needy and hopeless. He infuses limitless hope and brand new opportunities in your life when you call upon Him. God promised, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5.
Beloved, abandonment of a parent is a heartbreaking event. Sometimes parents write them off not because of their emotional, financial or health reasons, but because of children’s consistent choice of bad behaviors and criminal choices. Even in those situations, God says He will never you nor forsake you. You see, God is the perfect father. He is not like imperfect parents of this world. Rest assured this truth, when everyone leaves, He comes into your life. God comes close to you and holds you close when you need the most. Bible gives this counsel in James 4:8 “Come close to Him, He will come close to you.” Would you accept His counsel and come close to God and see how much He would come near you and hold you tight in love and care?

Another general worry of people is this- if other people know and understand who I am, then they might reject me. Because of this insecurity and fear we often pretend to be someone else. We want to hide who we are in front of others.

However, do you know the Bible says, Jesus Christ knows all about our weakness because He experienced all of our testing when he wrapped Himself in the flesh and lived on this earth. The same temptations and testing-all of it – He experienced, still He did not Sin. That is because He was fully man and fully God. Theologian call this phenomenon – Hypostatic union. Now because He experienced all the same testing and temptations, He understands it all. He is able and willing to show sympathy and grant divine help for us.

You may have made big mistakes and messed up your life. Your friends, relatives and even parents may abandon you. However, listen, God will never reject you if you come to His throne of grace. His throne is called the throne of grace. There you will find the mercy and grace you need it. Bible says all whoever call upon the name of the Lord Jesus shall be saved. (Romans 10:13).

Got a moment for today’s prayer?  “Father in heaven,  I believe you will never leave me or abandon me. Even if my friends, relatives or even parents leave me. I know you will hold me tight in your care and love. You gave Jesus for my sins and shortcomings and he died in my place, buried and rose again. Please help and save me today. Transform me to a person you want me to become by giving me the new life in Jesus. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

God is close to you when your heart is broken. He saves when crushed in spirit.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:8.

I read two quotes recently. One said, “Have no fear; God is near.” The other one said, “there is no need to fear; God is near.” When we face threatening problems and challenges, it is hard to stop and think this way.

God is not far away from us, the Bible affirms. Acts 17:27 says, “God did this so that they would seek, reach out and find him, and he is not far from any one of us.” In Psalm 18:18 (a), the Bible says that “the Lord is near to all who call on him.” You may feel He is far away, but the truth is He is near to you, just a call or prayer away. Have you called Him for help in prayer?

Our insight says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” You see, the Lord is near to all of us. However, in a unique sense, do you know He is close to the brokenhearted? Do you know the Lord saves those who are crushed in spirit?

You see, the Bible reveals God as sympathetic and compassionate when you experience hurts and pains. In such times, He is closer to you, waiting and expecting that you would reach out to Him. Maybe someone left you. Did you lose a dear one in death? Did you lose your job? Are you worried about your health condition? Or maybe you are concerned about children and their rebelliousness and disobedience. These and hundreds of other things can bruise and disable you inside.

You see, when you are crippled inside with hurts and pains, you won’t be able to perform your daily chores and duties. However, God wants you to get up from the ashes, seek His help and move with His plans. Remember, God is just a prayer away. Your deliverance from the issues is just a prayer away. He can and will deliver you and save you. He is all-powerful, all knowledgable, and all present. You may be thousands of miles away, living in a remote corner of the earth. Alternatively, you may be in the middle of a big city downtown or uptown. He is ready to help you if you seek and reach out to Him.

God proved His love and commitment to you by giving His one and only Son Jesus for you. God sent him to die for all of your sins and shortcomings so that he can accept you as his child and take you to heaven with Him eternally. No one would ever have compassion and love toward you like God. No one would ever be committed to you like God.

Come home today, won’t you?

“Father in heaven, I heard you are close to the brokenhearted and save those who are crushed in spirit. Please save me today. I bring my problems to you in prayer. I call upon the name of Jesus who died, buried, and rose again to forgive, save and grant me eternal life. Rebuild my life with your mighty hand, Lord. In the name of Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Good Shepherd’s uncontainable joy over a lost sheep.

“And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’” Luke 15:3-7

Luke chapter 15 starts with the statement “Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus.” The tax collectors were the Roman Government officials whom ordinary people did not like. They forcefully collected more than the required taxes of the government and they enjoyed the surplus amount they collected. Many of them became rich. However, people hated them. In addition to tax collectors, sinners were also gathering around Jesus to listen to Him. The sinners were attracted to Jesus Christ. On one occasion Jesus said, “ Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” Mark 2:17. However, the religious leaders of His day, the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, did not like Jesus nor the sinners gathering around Jesus. When they saw tax collectors and sinners coming and listening to Jesus, they murmured and said, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”

When Jesus heard this, He told a parable. A parable is a simple story that brings to light a hidden truth. Besides, a parable is a story taken from the earth to provide a heavenly meaning.
Listen to the parable Jesus said, “Suppose one of you has hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.’ I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:3-7

Jesus was talking about the good shepherd. He is not talking about a shepherd who is working for daily wages or a bad shepherd. A good shepherd leaves the 99 sheep in a safe and open country and goes and searches for the one sheep that was lost from his fold. It says he goes after the lost sheep until he finds it. Did you notice? Not only goes after the lost sheep until he finds it, but also he does two more things. First, when you see it, he joyfully put the sheep on his shoulders and comes home. Secondly, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” The good shepherd cannot contain his joy of finding the lost sheep in himself. He wants to call not only his friends but his neighbors as well and then request them to rejoice with him. He would say, “Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.” What a joy and excitement the good shepherd has upon finding his lost sheep!

Then Jesus said the hidden meaning of the parable. He said I tell you, in the same way, there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. There will be a big rejoicing party in heaven when he finds one lost person. Who is the ninety-nine that does not want to repent? The religious leaders of His day – Pharisees and teachers of the law. They claim to be the teachers of the law and super religious people, but only outwardly. They do not have love and compassion toward people who are lost in their sins and need help. They think they are righteous, fine, and good and have no need for a Savior. However, sinners know they are sinners and need help. Bible tells the truth – all are sinners. There is not even one person in the whole world who does good all the time. In our thoughts, imaginations, actions, and conversations we all do sin. All of us need the good shepherd, the savior from heaven, who can rescue us and reconcile with God in heaven.

Jesus said this about Him on another occasion – “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand (the one who works for wages) is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.” Did you understand the heart of compassion and love that Jesus has toward all of us in the above statement? The hired shepherd does not care because he does not own the sheep. He would run away when a wolf comes and attack the sheep. Jesus is the good shepherd. He lays down his life for the sheep. In a matter of days, Jesus did what he said. Jesus Christ laid down his life for all of us. He was the lamb of God who carried the sins of the whole world. The good shepherd, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, said this, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” Mark 10:45.

Beloved, Are you lost from the love, compassion, mercy, grace, and blessings of God? Come to the good shepherd, Jesus Christ now. He is your savior who can save you and give you bright hope and a future. He calls you with love and compassion. He and the whole of heaven are going to rejoice over you if you come.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know I am away from you. I need the Savior Jesus Christ who would carry me, forgive my sins, and rejoice over me. I believe He laid down his life for my sins and rose again from the dead. Please forgive my sins and accept me as your child. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Be reconciled to God! It is still possible now!

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” 2 Corinthians 5:18-21

Lailah Gifty Akita, Ghanaian, and founder of Smart Youth Volunteers Foundation said this, “There is hope for every man to return to his Maker.”

Our today’s insight says how is that possible. It says God took the first step and reconcile us to Himself. “Us” means those who are already reconciled to God because they placed their faith and trust in Jesus Christ, the savior. How did He reconcile us? God reconciled us to Him through the person of Jesus Christ. What else God did after this? He gave us (means to those who are already reconciled to God through Christ) the most blessed and beautiful ministry of reconciliation. He gave us the message of reconciliation. Therefore we have a message of reconciliation to share with others in the world. In this sense, we are Christ’s ambassadors. We have a divine message from God, and we have the status as the ambassadors of Christ.

An ambassador of Jesus Christ is a high calling. Ambassadors of the nation reconcile two nations by their esteemed service. We are God’s ambassadors or Christ’s ambassadors. An esteemed, highly privileged, and the highest calling you and I can get while we live in this world. You see, God makes an appeal through us to others around us who are not reconciled to God yet. What is that? Because we implore them on Christ’s behalf and say “Be reconciled to God.” How can people reconcile with God? This is how reconciliation happens. God made Jesus Christ who had no sin to become sin in our place. In other words, God put all our sins on Jesus Christ. The result is we do not need to be afraid and hide from the holy and righteous God as Adam and Eve did in the garden of Eden. We can stand right (and righteous) with God because Jesus Christ paid it all for us.

Bible says in John 1:12-13, “ He (God) gave the right and the power to become children of God to those who received Him (Jesus). He gave this to those who put their trust in His name. These children of God were not born of blood and of flesh and of man’s desires, but they were born of God.” All are children of God in one sense because He created all. However, there is a second birth, a birth from heaven, to inherit all that heaven offers to those who receive Jesus Christ.

Dearly beloved, Jesus Christ is the only way to God and heaven, and there is no other way out there by which we can be saved, obtain forgiveness of sins, stand right with God and possess eternal life. Some people think this is an arrogant statement to say Christ is the only savior. However, the statement or claim is not mine. This is what Jesus said. He said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” (John 14:6). Jesus clearly with no shadow of doubt said this, “If you do not believe that I am the Christ, you will die in your sins.” The only way you and I can avoid dying in your sins and face eternity without the presence of the loving God is to believe in Jesus Christ as our savior.

Bible says in 1 Timothy 2:5, “there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” No other religious gurus you admire can or will save you. There is none out there. The only way to God is Christ Jesus and His shed blood that paid for all your sins. Sometimes the truth, nothing but the truth, may sound arrogant and offensive to many. However, the truth remains the truth. There is no other way out there to come home to God and get reconciled with Him.

Our today’s insight says, “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ…” Yes, God wants to reconcile you to Him by inviting you to come to His Son, Jesus Christ, who loved you, came into this earth, carried your sins and sorrows, died in your place for your sins, and rose again on the third day. There is no other person out there in the entire world who loved you and paid for your sins. Jesus Christ is incomparable. He is the one who defeated death by dying for our sins on the cross and rose again on the third day. The cross has one part going up and two other parts going to both sides. On the cross, He joined our sinful hands to the hands of the Holy Father God. He embraced us on both sides and joined our hands to God. He is the only true mediator between God and us. We can not compare Jesus to any other major religious gurus. He stands alone in this regard. If you come to Jesus Christ, you will be reconciled to God, the Father. Bible says in Romans 10:13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” If you call on the name of the Lord Jesus, you will be saved as well.

I will help you to do just that now. Pray after me. “Father in heaven, thank you for talking to me today. I know Jesus Christ is my savior who died and rose again for my sins. I call on the name of the Lord Jesus. Please save me. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Let us walk in the light.

“This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him, there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”  1 John 1:5-7.

Martin Luther King Jr. said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”
Indeed, we have never seen darkness driving out darkness, did we?  Beloved, I do not need to say much about the influence of darkness in our lifetime. Darkness and activities of darkness are all around us every day. Every day we watch these incidents of darkness on Television, smartphones, and computers and read about them in news magazines and newspapers.

We see these days people who think or claim that they have in fellowship with God and yet they walk in darkness and their actions show only the atrocities and cruelties of darkness. The darkness was always in the world ever since sin entered into this world through Adam and Eve. However, the Bible also says the activities of darkness are only going to increase as the end of the ages draws near before the second coming of Christ. Several recent incidents of hatred and terrorism convict us of the presence of severe darkness in the world.

How can a nation experience light and blessings when it takes God out of their schools and families? How can a family exist in love and unity when it takes God out of it? How can people live in peace and rest when they reject to walk in the light of God? The result would be school, college, and family shootings. No wonder why we see these things daily.

We as nations, families, and people can choose to walk in darkness or light. God is light and Ephesians 6:12 says the rulers of the dark are the devil, his principalities, and powers. Satan is the prince of darkness. We can see the distinctive work of God and the devil in this world. God is the truth, life, love, peace, and light. The devil is the deceiver, liar, murderer, accuser and causes hatred instead of peace. So when you and I see the truth, life, love, peace, and light it is the work of God. Whenever we look at deception, lies, hatred, murder, and false accusation, it is the way of darkness and the devil. You see, we can walk with God in light or we can walk in the path of darkness under the influence of the devil.

Bible says God is light and His Son Jesus Christ is light. John 1:9 says this about the incarnation of Jesus Christ, “ the true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world.” Bible says, “This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19. The true light and the light that came into the world is Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

John says in 1 John 5:12, “He who has the Son has the life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have the life.” In short, Jesus Christ, the Son of God is the light and Word of Life, and He is the source of eternal life. The people who have Jesus Christ in their lives walk in the light and possess eternal life, and the people who do not have Jesus Christ walk in darkness and do not have eternal life.

Dearly beloved, God calls us to walk in the light, not in darkness. The only way we can begin walking in the light is by the cleansing of our sinful past by the wonder-working power of the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all our sins and dark past and allows us to enter into fellowship and friendship with God. In short, when we come to Jesus Christ and accept Him as our savior and Lord, then the divine blood of Christ cleanse us and make us a brand new creation, ready to walk in the light with God. He rescues and delivers us from the kingdom of darkness and transfers us to the Kingdom of God’s beloved Son Jesus Christ where there is peace, love, unity, truth, eternal life, and all blessings. Then we will start a new walk. We will walk in the light in fellowship with God, His Son Jesus Christ, and the loving companionship of other believers in Christ.

Plato said, “We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light.” We should never be afraid of the light. God calls you to start walking in light because He is light. Maybe you once walked with God, and then something happened, and walked away from the light and the fellowship of God. God is calling you to come back to Him and resume walking in the light now. I will help you to do just that in a small prayer with me now.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, I know darkness surrounds the world today. I do not want to walk in darkness. I want to walk in the light with you every day. I  know the light, the Son of God, Jesus Christ came into this world. He died and shed His blood to cleanse me from my sins so that I can walk in the light with you. I accept Christ as my savior and Lord. Help me to walk in light every day with you listening to your wonderful loving stories. Thank you, Lord, for doing this in my life. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.”

Keep on doing what is right and trust your life to the God who created you.

“So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.” 1 Peter 4:19

John Lennon who was an English singer, songwriter who co-founded ‘Beatles’ said, “One thing you can’t hide –is when you are crippled inside.” Is that not a correct statement? When we are crippled inside and suffer, we won’t be able to hide from others. Rumi, a 13th-century Persian poet said, “The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”

When my children want to watch exciting movies, they always want to turn off the light or dim the light of the room. In a dim or dark background, the movie screen lit up. This is why movie theatre rooms are dark or shadowy in the light.

Our insight today says, if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. Someone said the beautiful diamonds shine brilliantly when the light comes on them in a dark background.

Today’s insight says the sufferings God allows in our lives have the potential to shine brilliantly to bring glory to Him. You see, no afflictions come to us without the knowledge and approval of the loving Lord. All the pain losses and miseries that happened to Job were by the for-knowledge and permission of God. Do you know people or the devil can not touch us without going through the approval of God? This is what the life of Job teaches us. The same message is what Joseph teaches us. Therefore in our sufferings, the Bible asks us to do two things.

First, keep on doing what is right, and second trust your life to the God who created you. Keep on doing what is right is not easy especially when we struggle. I have seen people cursing and getting unusually mad during their sufferings. I heard about people saying abusive and dishonoring words and languages. However, the Bible asks us to continue doing what is right. Think what the right thing we can do when we go through sufferings that God pleased to give to us is. He has a divine purpose behind our afflictions and, and the Lord will divinely help us if we seek Him in prayer.

James 1:12 says, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward, they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” Two things come out of the above James passage. One, God’s special blessings are on those who patiently endure sufferings. Second, they will receive the crown of life. God promised the crown of life because you love Him amid sufferings.

In addition to keeping on doing what is right, our insight says to trust your lives to the God who created you. Beloved, Psalm 139:13 says God created my inmost being. He knit me together in my mother’s womb. He fearfully and wonderfully made me. My frame was not hidden from Him when I was made in the secret place of my mother’s womb. He wove me together in the depths of the earth. His eyes saw my unformed body; all the days of my life were written in His book before even one of them came to be. If God created and wove together in mother’s womb, can we not trust Him who made our frame and bodies in the depth of the belly of our Moms? Yes, we sure can.

Finally, our passage wraps up with a beautiful promise -the Lord will never fail you. No matter what He will not fail you. He did not abandon Job. He did not fail Joseph. He did not fail Jacob. He did not fail David. He did not fail Peter, and He will not fail you or abandon you.

Let us say our today’s insight slowly and thoughtfully again. “So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.”

Got a moment for today’s prayer? Father in heaven, I believe in your promise that you will not fail me not abandon me in my sufferings. I pray to you for wisdom and strength. I accept Jesus Christ as my savior and Lord. I know he died and rose again for my sins. The blood of Jesus Christ can wash away all of my sins and wrongdoings. Help me Lord to keep on doing right and trust you because you are my creator and I worship you. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.”

He can sprout beautiful new beginnings in your life.

“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!” Isaiah 43:18-19

In today’s insight, God is speaking through the prophet Isaiah to the people of Judah who are in exile in Babylon. God’s children were rebellious and disobedient to Him for many many decades. God sent His prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah again and again and confronted them and said to them -do not continue this rebellious and disobedient lifestyle. You will pay for it. Repent, turn to God, and get reconciled with God. However, they would not. Now they are harvesting the results of their disobedience and rebelliousness in a foreign land that is filled with idols. They are serving another nation that does not even care about them a little bit. What a tragedy! They are so sad and have no hope left in their hearts for a good and prosperous future again. Are you in such a condition? Listen to God; He has certain things to announce to you today. You will love it.

You see, sin always leads us into sadness, hopelessness, and despair. It never adds good things to our life. Sin continually deducts stuff from our life. You see sin gives temporary pleasure for a small season. However, it bites back like a poisonous serpent. That is why God says to listen to Him and walk in His ways. Bible says, if you listen to God’s voice, do not harden your hearts. Today the Lord again asks us to get out of the sinful and wicked ways and start walking toward God. He is there waiting to receive you with a future and hope again in our lives.

Today’s insight says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing.” The God of the Bible is the living and only God. He has love, mercy, and compassion toward us. He is the excellent encourager you will ever experience. Bible says He is the God of brand new beginnings. He encourages us to come to Him because He has beautiful things in store for you and me.

Beloved, if you think you do not have hope for a good future, listen again. May be you did something terrible. You may say to me- Sam you do not know what I did. You may tell me that you were a sinner or deceiver or criminal for a long time. Do not punish yourself by giving yourself to addictions like alcohol, drugs, or any such things. Now if you are already addicted to alcohol and drugs and punishing yourself for what you did or others did to you, I am here to tell you from the Bible God’s message to you. You do not need to punish yourself for your wrongdoings. Why? God has already punished His Son, Jesus Christ, for all of your sins. You can begin brand new again.

Listen, Forget the former things. It does not matter what you did and where you went. Stop dwelling on the past incidents that happened to you. You may have done dangerous and even criminal things. Alternatively, others may have hurt you, done bad things to you, and wrote you off saying you are good for nothing. God says He will not write you off. Don’t listen to what people say to you. Listen to what God speaks to you. The better days and things are still ahead of you.
People of Judah were like us. They thought their sins led them to exile and now they are in captivity. You see, it is tough when you understand what you did result in such a dangerous condition or outcome. It is tough. However, the loving God of the Bible is telling them at the time of their despair and hopelessness this- “forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. First of all, we need to stop rehearsing the past bad things you did or happened to you. Secondly, we need to stop dwelling on them. Thirdly, God says to us, “See, I am doing a new thing!” He says, come to me, I will give you the great grace and strength to move on to the new beginnings and growth God has in store for you.

Dearly beloved, God promises He is going to do a new thing in your life. Would you come to Him today? The blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is the wonder-working and fantastic eraser that has the power to erase all your past sins. You can begin a new life because God speaks to you now. He can remove and erase your haunting past and will start new and beautiful beginnings in your life.
You come today. Come out of wherever you are. God is calling you to come to His Son Jesus now.

Got a moment for today’s prayer? “Father in heaven, thank you for calling me personally today. I come to you obeying your call. Lord erase my sins by the blood of Jesus Christ and make me new again. Please begin the new things in my life as you promised. I repent and call upon your name for help.  I believe in Jesus Christ who died and rose again for me. In Jesus Christ’s name, I pray. Amen.